PWR-Pack is a company that designs picker robot systems for the food industry. These robots are based on the delta robot principle. A delta robot is one of the most widely used picker robot types. It uses three motors, which are connected to a platform by arms, to translate the mentioned platform without rotation. The robots are able to move very rapidly and accurately. By attaching a specialized tool, such as a knife or gripper, to the moving platform, the robot can execute very specialized tasks very quickly.
The assignment I did at PWR-Pack:
‘Design a module-based frame for delta robots which combines producability, performance, low price, flexibility and aesthetics.’ The emphasis in this project was the modularization. This would allow the company to produce a lot quicker and more efficient. The modularization process has been done in different steps.
• An overview of requirements was made, and required standard properties defined
• Possible building blocks of the system were defined, and concepts made
• Analyses, among others FEM, were done to acquire properties of existing systems, and of possible new approaches
• A concept selection was made based on the results and requirements, and on a questionnaire filled out by company staff
• Further improvements were defined, as well as possible improvements outside of the frame
• A detailed design of the concept was made, and advanced as far as possible
• All work was passed on to an employee of PWR-Pack, and a final presentation was given within the company to update everyone acquainted with the subject.
The project is supposed to be finished in August 2011.
Overall, the internship was very interesting, fun, and taught me a lot about both working in a company and the subject.
Key words:frame, delta robot, modular building, food industry, conveyor belt, vision system